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February is Children’s Dental Health Month, what do you have planned to help educate families in your community about the need for better dental health?

Field trips to local schools? School field trips to the office? Participating with the National Give Kids A Smile Day?

Today, I’m going to focus on Give Kids a Smile Day.

Now the ADA website has an excellent Give Kids A Smile Toolbox http://www.ada.org/1584.aspx It’s loaded with information such as Planning, Promotion, Forms, etc.

Advertise your Event

Social Media ~

Advertise your event on all of your social media pages.

TV News ~

Fax & Email the press release. (Sample Press Release below)

Call the stations and pitch your story. Invite them to visit the office the day of the event and to please help you identify true children in need by spreading the word.

Most TV news stations have a free community calendar on their website – post the event on the calendar. (Pictures are a good idea too!)

Local Newspaper ~

Send press release.

Flyers ~

Have flyers in the office and ask patients to please share with their friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors.

Visit local businesses ~

This is all FREE advertising! Even if your schedule is filling up, continue to advertise! Think of it as spreading seeds all over the community, getting your name in front of many people. You never know when those seeds will grow!!

Key things to remember/do before, during and after the event:

Show lots of Enthusiasm:

Be enthusiastic about this great event and your office too!

Printed Materials:

In addition to the event information/details. Be sure to include: Doctors (office) Name, Address, Phone number, email, social media pages and website

Telephones:

Thank them for calling, ask how they heard about the event (TRACK EVERY Callers Referral Source)

So your schedule is full for that day, what do you do when the phone continues to ring with people wanting to schedule an appointment for their child(ren)?

Take down their name, phone number, chief concern, and let them know you will call if there are any changes in the schedule for that day. (Believe or not people sometimes cancel/no show on this day!)

Just because you may not be able to see them on that day, offer them a different day for a complimentary consultation. Give them hope, give them a chance, they’ve probably been turned away from other offices.

While out in the community:

Look good! Your appearance is a reflection of the office and the care you provide.

Be considerate of their time.

Don’t hold back from offering the people you meet an appointment.

Carry extra toothbrushes, business cards, lip balm, etc. to share with those you meet.

Donations:

See if you can get donations from local businesses for the event.

Be sure to include any business that contributed to the event in your advertising & thank you’s after the event!

Day of Event:

Every child receives a goodie bag that includes an imprinted toothbrush.

Take pictures!!! (The ADA website has a release form)

Enter all charges into the computer and write off as GKAS-Charity (Record total donation dollars- the production)

Sadly, There will be treatment that you won’t be able to do that day – give them a treatment plan and if they cannot afford treatment in your office you should refer them to a dental school or medicaid office. Have a list ready for them.

It may be the first visit to the dentist for some kids so they may be scared you really have to work at keeping them comfy & make it fun.

You might be surprised to see how many families end up becoming patients.

GKAS day can be a very busy day for the office, I recommend ordering lunch in so team members can relax during their break.

After the Event:

Send a thank you to the children after the event.

Send a thank you to any business that contributed to the event.

Submit a press release talking about the success of the event, pictures and tips for parents to keep their child’s smile healthy.

Make your Give Kids a Smile Day a huge success!!

It’s actually a really fun day – exhausting yes, and maybe a little heartbreaking but it feels good to volunteer your time, and donate your services to help so many children in the community.

If you have any questions about hosting your Give Kids A Smile Event or would like help planning/advertising/marketing this special day, please contact me at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com

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